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When to Plant Pawpaw in Morris County, TX

Pawpaw is the largest native fruit tree in North America, producing tropical-tasting custard-like fruits. Young trees prefer shade but fruiting trees need good light.

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Morris County receives approximately 69.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Pawpaw may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Pawpaw will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pawpaw root diseases.

Morris County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Pawpaw Planting Timeline โ€” Morris County, TX

Pawpaw Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“2555 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

244 days in Morris County

Growing Tips for Morris County

Plant at least two genetically distinct trees for cross-pollination. Provide shade for young trees. Fruits ripen in fall and have a very short shelf life. Harvest when slightly soft.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pawpaw in Morris County, TX?

Morris County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Pawpaw planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, TX?

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morris County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Morris County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.